St Mirren will aim to strengthen their charge for a top six finish in the Scottish Premiership when they face league leaders Celtic at the Smisa Stadium on Saturday.
The hosts are seventh in the standings and trail sixth-placed Hearts by just two points, while the visitors hold a 13-point lead at the top of the league table.
Match preview
![Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/31/stephen-robinson.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Stephen Robinson of St Mirren during the UEFA Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Second Leg match at the SMISA Stadium, Paisley, on August 1, 2024 [on August 2, 2024]")
© Imago
St Mirren have achieved top six finishes in each of the last two seasons, placing sixth in 2022-23 before climbing to fifth in 2023-24, and they would have been aiming for another improvement this term.
Stephen Robinson's men are still in the battle to achieve that goal, but the manager may be disappointed with his side's lack of inconsistency so far this campaign.
The Saints started the season by crashing out of the Conference League in the third qualifying round, while they won only two of their first 10 league fixtures.
While they did improve with six wins in the following nine league fixtures, alongside one draw and two losses, St Mirren have subsequently managed just two league wins in the next nine games.
However, a victory on Saturday could still see them climb into the top six, depending on results elsewhere, but the Saints will be major underdogs heading into the clash.
Their opponents, Celtic, have been by far the best performing team in the Scottish Premiership this campaign, currently placed top of the league table with a significant 13 point lead over second-placed Rangers.
The Bhoys, under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers, have won 23, drawn three and lost two of their 28 league fixtures, while they have already lifted the Scottish League Cup and remain in contention for the Scottish FA Cup trophy.
Celtic have experienced a rare challenging period in recent weeks, losing three of their last nine, as well as suffering elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Rodgers's men did brilliantly bounce back in their most recent outing, though, hammering a reinvigorated Aberdeen 5-1, a result that will give them huge confidence heading into this one.
Team News
© Imago
St Mirren will be without the services of Alex Iacovitti (hamstring), Conor McMenamin (calf) and Evan Mooney (ankle) due to ongoing injury issues.
Elsewhere, top scorer Toyosi Olusanya came off the bench at half-time in their recent defeat, and the striker is expected to start alongside Mikael Mandron in this one.
As for Celtic, James Forrest has been ruled out since December due to a foot issue that will keep him out until March, while Paulo Bernardo is also a doubt for Saturday.
Following the impressive 5-1 victory against Aberdeen, Rodgers may opt to name the same side here, with goalscorers Callum McGregor, Jota and Daizen Maeda all keeping their places.
St Mirren possible starting lineup:
Hemming; Fraser, Gogic, Taylor; Alebiousu, Phillips, Boyd-Munce, O'Hara, John; Olusanya, Mandron
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Schmeichel; Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Trusty, Schlupp; Engels, McGregor, Hatate; Kuhn, Maeda, Jota
We say: St Mirren 0-3 Celtic
Celtic are undoubtedly the stronger team heading into this game, and given St Mirren have failed to defeat the Bhoys since September 2022, we expect a comfortable victory for the away team.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ellis Stevens
